Monday kicked off our Reading Challenge fundraiser. Mrs. Maloney had an assembly and read the whole school a wonderful story about characters in a book that come to life. It was called Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook. Children are asked to read every night and collect sponsor $ to donate to the school. There are all sorts of activities this week to keep us motivated. Today was READ ME DAY and students were encouraged to wear words on their clothing. Wednesday is BRING IN A BOOK FOR SOCIAL CONCERN DAY. Thursday is PJ DAY and Friday is PATRIOT or RED, WHITE AND BLUE DAY.
Students have been loving science. We are experts on solid, liquids and gasses. We used a balance scale because all matter has mass. We did an experiment where we put a paper towel into a bucket of water but it didn't get wet. You can ask your child more about that.
We did a little Horrible Harry writing. I forgot the pictures so stay tuned. We are also going to write a little Horrible Harry adventure of our own this week.
You child need to know their addition and subtraction facts up to twenty off the top of their head. So while driving in their car ask what's 9+7. Be sure they are doing extramath as well. Math will be so much easier if they master those facts.
********Notes from Mrs. Potamis' Class
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Horrible Harry
This week we've been reading Horrible Harry in 2B by Suzy Kline. We finished it today. The children really seemed to enjoy it and were begging me to read each day. Harry does some pretty horrible things but he does one or two good things as well. Ask your child to tell you all about him. We have other Horrible Harry books in our classroom library and I was pleased to see some students check them out of the school library today. We are working on a little Harry writing project now so stay tuned.
We've also been reading Poppleton stories. I thought two of them were especially funny. I liked the one when he was buying a new bed and the grapefruit story. Poppleton has a funny problem when he eats grapefruit. Has your child ever tried grapefruit before? If not consider picking one up. A taste would certainly explain what happened to Poppleton's lips.
We had an official fire drill this week. The children executed it perfectly. We were so very quiet, which is important because we need to be able to hear the firemen in case they have special instruction for us.
On Monday, to kick off of our school reading fundraiser, the Wyman School will be having hat day. Remind your child to wear his favorite hat to school.
We've also been reading Poppleton stories. I thought two of them were especially funny. I liked the one when he was buying a new bed and the grapefruit story. Poppleton has a funny problem when he eats grapefruit. Has your child ever tried grapefruit before? If not consider picking one up. A taste would certainly explain what happened to Poppleton's lips.
We had an official fire drill this week. The children executed it perfectly. We were so very quiet, which is important because we need to be able to hear the firemen in case they have special instruction for us.
On Monday, to kick off of our school reading fundraiser, the Wyman School will be having hat day. Remind your child to wear his favorite hat to school.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Back to School Night
This Thursday is Back to School Night for parents, 6-8. This year is especially important for you to attend because elementary schools are getting an ALL NEW standards based report card. It's totally different than what you are used to. Want to learn more about it? Then be sure to attend this Thursday.
Student council applications are due Thursday. One (or two) students from each class is chosen to meet during lunch, a few times throughout the year, and talk about improving our school. Last year's student council decided to help an animal shelter and started collecting donations for animals. I explained council to the children and invited anyone interested to take an application. Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. C will be choosing representatives from each grade on Monday.
Today we discussed the stages in the writing process and then read The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. We admired all the details she used when telling us about her relatives from Virginia. Boy, did that family like to hug. We decided to write about a time we may have visited with relatives or friends. Children met with partners to talk about their experience (prewriting) then started writing (draft) on their own. Cynthia Rylant is also the author of Henry and Mudge books, which we have been reading and Poppleton books which we will be reading.
A student wore this shirt today and I just LOVED it. I HAD to snap a picture. Did you know smiles are contagious! Test that theory out and see.
Mark your calendars. Tuesday, Sept. 23 is picture day and next Wednesday is a half day. Dismissal will be at 12:30.
Student council applications are due Thursday. One (or two) students from each class is chosen to meet during lunch, a few times throughout the year, and talk about improving our school. Last year's student council decided to help an animal shelter and started collecting donations for animals. I explained council to the children and invited anyone interested to take an application. Mrs. Maloney and Mrs. C will be choosing representatives from each grade on Monday.
Today we discussed the stages in the writing process and then read The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. We admired all the details she used when telling us about her relatives from Virginia. Boy, did that family like to hug. We decided to write about a time we may have visited with relatives or friends. Children met with partners to talk about their experience (prewriting) then started writing (draft) on their own. Cynthia Rylant is also the author of Henry and Mudge books, which we have been reading and Poppleton books which we will be reading.
A student wore this shirt today and I just LOVED it. I HAD to snap a picture. Did you know smiles are contagious! Test that theory out and see.
Mark your calendars. Tuesday, Sept. 23 is picture day and next Wednesday is a half day. Dismissal will be at 12:30.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Pete The Cat
We have been having lots of fun with Pete the Cat stories. Pete is a groovy cat that likes to sing. I love to sing too so I really enjoy reading his books. We found a website with some Pete songs, videos and activities. Click here to check that out.
Monday we used IXL in the computer room. Clearly the children used IXL in first grade because they all knew exactly what to do. We are scheduled to use the computer room Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 2-2:30.
Today we read Daddy, Can I Have an Elephant?. The main character asks for some crazy pets. The students brainstormed other ridiculous pet choices and wrote about one of them.
The students got into groups to play two different games this week. In one game, they had to work with a partner to find rhyming words. In another, they had to put school related words into sentences. I had to remind almost every one of them that sentences need to begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation. They shouldn't need reminders much longer.
I super excited to tell you about our two fabulous new helpers. Miss Fahey will be in our room 45 minutes a day to help out with reading.......whoo hoo! Miss Nicole (Wackrow) is a high school senior who will come for an hour before lunch to help our class as well. I feel so lucky to have them both on our team.
Monday we used IXL in the computer room. Clearly the children used IXL in first grade because they all knew exactly what to do. We are scheduled to use the computer room Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 2-2:30.
Today we read Daddy, Can I Have an Elephant?. The main character asks for some crazy pets. The students brainstormed other ridiculous pet choices and wrote about one of them.
The students got into groups to play two different games this week. In one game, they had to work with a partner to find rhyming words. In another, they had to put school related words into sentences. I had to remind almost every one of them that sentences need to begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation. They shouldn't need reminders much longer.
I super excited to tell you about our two fabulous new helpers. Miss Fahey will be in our room 45 minutes a day to help out with reading.......whoo hoo! Miss Nicole (Wackrow) is a high school senior who will come for an hour before lunch to help our class as well. I feel so lucky to have them both on our team.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Full Week
This week is our first full week of school. I'm expecting that the students (and teachers) will be exhausted before the week is through. Please try to get your child to bed early this week to help us all get through.
Tuesday is Election Day. Which means that only sandwiches will be served for school lunch and your child must order his/her lunch on MONDAY. Before school, please discuss with your child whether or not they will be buying or bringing lunch on Tuesday so the lunchroom can prepare appropriately.
Tuesday is Election Day. Which means that only sandwiches will be served for school lunch and your child must order his/her lunch on MONDAY. Before school, please discuss with your child whether or not they will be buying or bringing lunch on Tuesday so the lunchroom can prepare appropriately.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
SUCCESS
We did it! We made it through the first day of school. Everyone came in smiling and left at 2:40 still smiling.....EVEN ME. It was a great day.
Here's a little bit of our day. We chose desks, unpacked supplies and colored a picture (there is a good chance that seats are going to be switched around next week). We played a get to know each other game, practiced a fire drill and lock down. The students brainstormed about 2nd graders. We read two books, First Day Jitters and a Pete the Cat book. Ask your child to tell you about the stories and sing you Pete's button song. Our Fundation kits are set up and we started building words. We wrote a bit about ourselves and shared something from our summer. We even had a classroom scavenger hunt. WHOOO WHEEEEE all that plus snack, recess, lunch and a few bathroom breaks. It was a jam packed day.
We have recess at 10:20 and lunch at 12:40. It is a long morning, so be sure to pack a snack to hold them until lunchtime. Children are also allowed to keep water bottles at their desks. This might be especially important to keep in mind as I've heard temps could reach 90 degrees tomorrow.
You may have noticed I sent home some of the pencils and glue sticks. I had the children keep a few at their desks and told them to bring the rest home and restock their pencil boxes as needed.
Thank you to all those who returned the STACK of paperwork you received over the summer. If you haven't done so yet please do ASAP.
Here are some pictures of our exciting day! Enjoy!
Here's a little bit of our day. We chose desks, unpacked supplies and colored a picture (there is a good chance that seats are going to be switched around next week). We played a get to know each other game, practiced a fire drill and lock down. The students brainstormed about 2nd graders. We read two books, First Day Jitters and a Pete the Cat book. Ask your child to tell you about the stories and sing you Pete's button song. Our Fundation kits are set up and we started building words. We wrote a bit about ourselves and shared something from our summer. We even had a classroom scavenger hunt. WHOOO WHEEEEE all that plus snack, recess, lunch and a few bathroom breaks. It was a jam packed day.
We have recess at 10:20 and lunch at 12:40. It is a long morning, so be sure to pack a snack to hold them until lunchtime. Children are also allowed to keep water bottles at their desks. This might be especially important to keep in mind as I've heard temps could reach 90 degrees tomorrow.
You may have noticed I sent home some of the pencils and glue sticks. I had the children keep a few at their desks and told them to bring the rest home and restock their pencil boxes as needed.
Thank you to all those who returned the STACK of paperwork you received over the summer. If you haven't done so yet please do ASAP.
Here are some pictures of our exciting day! Enjoy!
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| game |
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| fundations |
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| brainstorming |
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| story (I wonder who had the jitters?) |
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